Submit Comments to Sunset Advisory Commission to Give Input About TPWD!

Texans have the opportunity to influence the work Texas Parks and Wildlife Department by submitting comments to the Sunset Advisory Commission by December 2!  

The Sunset Review not only recommends whether an agency should continue, but makes statutory and management recommendations to improve the agency’s performance. Although there will be two public hearings in the future as the draft report progresses, this is the time for the public to present the topics that the Commission should discuss in its report.  

The Lone Star Chapter will be submitting a list of issues which should be examined by the Commission, but it would be helpful if our members could also add their personal input. Here is a short list of some key items that would help reinforce the Chapter’s comments:

1. Review the adequacy of staffing, both for the State Parks and Wildlife Divisions. The visitation of state parks is growing but not state park staffing. In the Wildlife Division, there is one mammologist and one herpetologist for the entire state.
2. Examine the quality of environmental management of former TPWD properties that were  transferred to the Texas Historical Commission during 2007 and 2019
3. Examine the delay in opening never-opened state parks and natural areas to the public.  For example, the Davis Hill SNA in East Texas has never been opened in over 35 years. 
4. Examine the need for a budget item or budget flexibility to expand the boundaries of existing state parks and wildlife management areas as the opportunity arises. Study gaps in the need for new state parks across Texas and opportunities for funding.
5. Examine the need to formulate protocols for wildlife protection corridors in connection with transportation corridors by working with TxDOT.  Protect wildlife as part of road design. Examine the need to provide guidelines for wildlife protection from high-voltage lines and wind turbines.

Submit your comments no later than December 2nd to the Sunset Advisory Commission via e-mail to sunset@sunset.texas.gov or online at www.sunset.texas.gov .